Bulgarian star Petrov commits to Villa

Stiliyan Petrov, the Bulgaria midfielder who has been one of Aston Villa’s outstanding performers this season, has committed his long term future to the club by signing a new four-year contract.

The new deal will keep the former Celtic star at Villa until 2013 and ends speculation that he could leave if England international Gareth Barry gets the move to Liverpool that he wanted last year.

Petrov, who turns 30 in July, was manager Martin O’Neill’s first signing at Villa with the Northern Irishman paying six million pounds to sign him from his former club in 2006.

O’Neill had generally deployed Petrov as an attacking midfielder at Celtic but, having suffered a major dip in form last season, it is as a holding player that he has thrived in the current campaign.

The Villa boss said he was delighted to have held on to Petrov.

“It is only just a year ago that people were concerning themselves about whether Stiliyan had a future here,” O’Neill reflected. “But he has battled back so much so that I’d like him to be around here for the next few years.

“If every person shows the same determination and willingness and drive that Stiliyan has shown the last year, there will be a future for anyone at the club.”

O’Neill meanwhile admitted that he expects to receive approaches this summer for his star performers — Barry and the young forwards Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor.

“I would be surprised if some people were not inquiring about our players – big teams – but I am hoping we will be able to withstand that,” he said.

Barry was stripped of the club captaincy last year after putting in a transfer request in an attempt to force Villa to sell him to Liverpool, who would not meet the Midlands club’s valuation.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is expected to make a fresh attempt to sign Barry this summer and O’Neill appeared resigned to the possibility that he could lose the midfielder, who will be able to walk away for nothing when his contract expires at the end of next season.

“With Gareth, you do accept – having spent 10-11 years at the club – he would be wanting to have a look at other particular things,” O’Neill said.

With the backing of American owner Randy Lerner, Villa will be in the market themselves this summer and O’Neill recognises the need to inject greater strength in depth into his squad.

“If you are prioritising, quality is essential,” he said. “Yes, we have had some benefits from fielding a settled side this season. But you realise now, when you look at Manchester United, and the changes all the top sides can make, how important it is to be able to do that.”